CQ Treasure Hunt & Social Media

We are starting the last week off by raising the flag, drinking the special rum, and hunting for the treasure!

Treasure Hunt Instructions:
1. Go to Curiosity Quills Website.
2. Find the answers on the site!
3. Add to the comments
4. If correct your name will be put into a random drawing to WIN SOME BOOTY (treasure) YAYAY!!!!

MAKE SURE TO ALSO CHECK OUT SHARON'S TREASURE HUNT QUESTIONS!

ARRGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!

NAME THAT TITLE (imagine the Jeopardy theme song here):


1. Although the stories are not related, a Murder Mystery play shares the same title as this romantic urban fantasy adventure. Which is it?

2. “The hard­est choice she ever had to make was between true religion and true love.”

3. Katriona Wilde, Arland Mahor, Flanna, and Lann are just a few loveable characters in this paranormal romance/urban fantasy novel.

Go find the answers! Leave them in the comments below.

Winners announced on Monday July 6th!

Involvement with social media is inevitable. Being plugged-in has no age minimum or maximum. Famous people and non-famous people have facebook, twitter, pinterest, etc, etc. Even cats and dogs with facebook pages and twitter handles, so I guess being social is not only for humans. I do have a love/hate relationship all of the different media sites available due to the massive amounts of time it takes. Writers can no longer lock themselves in a room with a bottle of scotch and just write...being social come with the territory. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy being social!

Being able to connect with others is an advantage that most of us take for granted. Imagining how strangers connected with each other 50 years ago reminds me of how lucky we are to have technology! I do randomly take "Social Sabbaticals" because sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming. I really love Twitter and how I can connect with others across the world. My personal Facebook is where I connect with people I once knew at some point in my life and a place for me to express my silly opinions. I have been using it more lately to chat with others that are signed under the most awesome publishing company ever....Curiosity Quills! Whoop whoop! One of my new addictions is Goodreads. It helps me find new books that I may not have tried otherwise. Also, they updated the app on the iphone so I can read the forums on the go.


Youtube is DANGEROUS! I get sucked into the tube way to easily. I try not to go there too much. I can start off watching Book trailers and end up watching cats run around. I don't know how it happens, but it is a like a black hole of the internet that I try to stay away from!!! Blogger is one of my new favorite social media outlets that is more like therapy. Blogging is enjoyable. Reading about other peoples journeys is interesting. I love social media but hate how much time I spend, especially with my crazy schedule!


My Social Media Links:
twitter.com/courtney825
facebook.com/courtneyworthyoung
goodreads.com/courtney825
http://pinterest.com/cutiecourt83/

Buccaneer Blogfest: It's the Final Countdown!

I cannot believe that week 3 of the blogfest is over and we are moving on to the final countdown! I have learned so many things about you all and have had such a blast reading your posts!

Final Countdown (July 30 – August 3)

a. (July 30) Social Media: Share your feelings and opinions about social media and it's relation to writing and reading.

b. (Aug 1) Host a giveaway using Rafflecopter or a similar tool. If you don't have anything you'd like to giveaway, we'd be happy to let you post the Rafflecopter form for a CQ sponsored giveaway.

c. (Aug 3) Reflection post: Share your experience from this blogfest. What are the next steps you want to take with your blog?



On a side note: How did I miss number 9 of the blogfest?  I can honestly say that I have 3 books that I am trying to finish but my literary schedule is so out of whack that I haven't completed any of those, yet. I am halfway through Dinosaur Jazz by Michael Panush (which is AWESOME) and 20% complete with Wilde's Army which I wanted to finish yesterday.  Sigh.

Glad we are still sailing through the blogging seas and I am really going to miss you all when it is over. ARRRGGGGGGG!

Buccaneer Blogfest #8: Reading Favs

Avast mateys! I am posting early.  I took a nap when I got home from work and unfortunately am wide awake at 1am but that isn't anything new being the night owl that I am.  Without further ado...

The Prompt for today:
July 25th - Give us your best of the best list. What are your top five favorite books of all time?


I have read so many wonderful books that it is hard to just list 5! Here goes nothing... 

5. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger :Just finished this one and I really enjoyed it.  Had to throw a classic in especially this one.  It was a quick read, one that I would recommend to others!

4. So Cold the River by Michael Korta : A new author that I found.  I know I have mentioned him several times throughout the hop but it was worth mentioning again! He writes compelling ghost mystery stories and I love his writers voice.  This one left chill bumps on my arms.  It was great and one I would read again!

3. Insurgent by Veronica Roth: I loved the second book much better than the first.  The first one reminded me of The Hunger Games too much but this one was great. Tris and Four are my two favorite characters.  I love their story and the world that Veronica Roth created.  The story was more appealing in book 2. 

2. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins:  The second book of the Hunger Games is my absolute favorite.  I have read it and listened to it on audio book twice. Catniss is not helpless but is in no way perfect.  She is a relate-able character and I love how strong she is in book 2 and how I really connected with the story.  Being surprised while reading a book is something I really look forward too and book two was constantly surprising me.  I loved the first and third also, but 2 is my absolute fav!

1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling:  The last book finished up a series that I grew up reading.  Although I love all of the Harry Potter books, the last one is my favorite.  It tied up so many loose ends, answered questions, and revealed amazing plot points.  When I finished the book, I couldn't help but cry.  During the Christmas Holidays I always reread all 7 books. Each time I discover more reasons why I am in love with the series. 


So what are you top 5 favorite books?  As you can tell, I am a YA whore! I love YA (but I do read in other genres). This prompt was hard because I mostly read books that have several in the series.  It is difficult to just pick one!

Buccaneer Blogfest #7: Reading

AHOY MATEYS! I am back from the outdoors and sailing full speed ahead in the literary world!

Week 3.  Doo do do dooo! I cannot believe we have already sailed the blogging seas for the past two weeks! I have met so many wonderful people during the hop.  Seriously, you all are AWESOME!

Anyway! It is time to get on to week 3.

Today is July 23rd - What are the last three books you've read? Tell us a little bit about what's currently in your Kindle/Nook/on your bedside table.

Well! This post is going to be quite easy.  I recently finished beta reading Colour Wielders by Dawna Raver.  It is not published yet but will be soon.  She officially signed her publishing contract TODAY! (SQUEE FOR DAWNA) YAY! Seriously, I loved the story and world she created.  I cannot wait until you all are able to experience Colour Wielders wonderfulness!

The other two I recently read are Divergent & Insurgent by Veronica Roth.  I absolutely loved this series and am a little sad that the third book to the series will not be released until 2013.  I hate waiting for awesomeness but I understand!

My goal was to read 52 books this year.  So far, I am behind but have read some very inspiring novels.  The stories were....wow.  Handfuls have left goosebumps on my arms when I read the last pages.

I hope I am not the only one who experiences that feeling! I have many others waiting to be read in my kindle.  Wilde's Army by Krystal Wade and The Cypress House by Michael Koryta are just a few.  I also want to start the Clockwork Prince series. If you go to my goodreads, you can see everything that I want to read like now! 

Honestly, I wish I could write, read, and perform for a living.  I would get so much more done...maybe one day! :) So.  What is on your reading list? 

Buccaneer Blogfest #6: Lightbulb Moment

I am updating from the great outdoors and the cell service is sketchy so I am hoping I can post.

I am supposed to share with you my lightbulb moment with my current work in progress. We will continue full steam ahead with "After the Woods" (my soon to be CQ published novel)

Jan or Feb of 2011, I was randomly searching the Internet. Losing myself in countless self publishing articles, I had this crazy thought that I should become a writer. Laughing and joking about writing a novel lasted for a month.

In march 2011, the hubs and I went camping at Hodges Gardens in Louisiana. It's a beautiful park and they only let us dry camp once a year for an astronomy event. Before we left, we hiked down a trail called The Chestnut Tree trail. There was a plaque with a beautiful story about how this Chestnut tree was shipped from Chicago in the early 1900's and that a plantation once stood where we were standing. The trees were perfectly aligned in rows, obviously making some sort of drive and there was the chestnut tree, one of the only ones that survived for a hundred years. You may not find this odd, but we don't have chestnut trees in the South, so it was neat to see it.
The husband is an audio engineer and he was recording the sounds of the trees and the bird singing while we stood in front of the tree.

I was overwhelmed by the woods and the story. I pulled out my phone and started writing in a note all the way back to the car. On the way home, I said, I have an idea for a novel and I am seriously going to write it. In March 2011, I started After the Woods just from visiting that park. My imagination was running wild and I couldn't stop.
By Oct 2011, I only had 30k words, written in first person, and it was total crap.

Nanowrimo started up and I decided I was starting over with After the Woods. I knew where I was going with the story. I wrote a few days at the beginning of Nov and stopped for 7 days because I was stuck. But being the competitive person I am, I completed nano and almost cried when I watched the winner video. I had done it and it was all because of camping, the way the tall pines sounded at night, and that awesome chestnut tree.

To make this story even sweeter, I won the nano-virtuosos contest by CURIOSITY QUILLS, which meant After the Woods would be professionally published!

Wow, this is really long. So what's your lightbulb moment?

(no pics or blog hop code...I'll add them when I get home with Internet connection!)

Buccaneer Blogfest #5: Character Interview

Ahoy mateys! The task on deck today was to conduct a character interview.  Yay! We did have a little scare with the linky but everything appears to be back in working order.  Davey Jones still searches for the dead mans chest! Jack Sparrow still drinks his rum and we are STILL sailing the blogging seas! If for some reason, your name was left off of the list, feel free to add it! Also, it is not too late to sign up....you can still hop into our hop!

I would like to introduce you all to Gertrude The Great.  She has been very busy keeping up with Elizabeth and saving the world one spell at a time. 

Courtney: I know you are a very busy and an important woman but you said I could summon you at any time!  Real quick, I have to ask you a couple of questions for my blog.   Millions of people will read this interview so it is important that we stay on topic.  I know how sometimes we can go on little rabbit trails.
Gertrude: Anytime Court.

Courtney: Wow! What an outfit! Where did you get it?
Gertrude:  Courtney, my dear, you know I magically construct my own dresses.  This one I call Jelly Beans. 

Courtney: Jelly Beans?
Gertrude:  Why yes! Is it not obvious why?
(Gertrude spins around.  As she spins, little dots of color, just like millions of jelly beans glow on the magical fabric. Her shoes change from purple, green, orange, red, and blue)

Courtney: Wow! You always seem to amaze me.  Your style is like no other!
Gertrude smiles and flips her jet black hair over her shoulders, sits, and folds her hands on her lap) 

Courtney:  Why don’t you tell everyone in blogland about yourself real quick.
Gertrude:  I am four hundred and thirty five years old and live in Dringia.  It is a magical city that you all will be familiar with very soon. My full name is Gertrude the Great . . .and with good reason.  I love dresses, cute heels, and tea.  Courtney, if we had more time,  I could tell your friends stories that are so unbelievable that I sometimes have to remind myself the events were not a dream.
 (She pulls her wand from a secret pocket in her dress and whips it around in a large circle.  A small tea kettle and two blue and white tea cups land on the coffee table)
Gertrude: Tea?
Courtney: Sure!
(with another whip of her wand, the tea kettle pours the steaming gold into the cups which immediately float to the two.  Courtney takes a sip.)
Courtney: Mmmmmm!! This is the best tea I have ever tasted. It is so warm and sweet, just like liquid honey!
Gertrude: It is my own secret recipe, made with love.

Courtney: Moving right along. I am going to get a bit personal, I hope you don’t mind.  What is your biggest fear?
(Gertrudes eyes soften before she speaks)
Gertrude:  War and the destruction that follows after.  Witches, Warlocks, Nogsters, Vampires and all magicals, even the leaders of the non-magical realm, made a pact to live in harmony with one another.  My biggest fear is for the world to be segregated into magical and non-magical groups.  If this is ever happens, a long war between ourselves and the others is inevitable.  I believe all magicals and non-magicals can live in peace and harmony together and thus far we have.  The last war was cruel and many deaths occurred.  Greed and power ruled the weak minded.  I would welcome death over living through another wicked world war.

Courtney:  Sorry to bring it up.  I thought you would say spiders or something.
Gertrude:  Spiders? (she laughs) My child, spiders are my little friends.  There are many other small creatures that the non-magicals despise . . . they are quiet useful! How do you think they weave webs? (They two ladies make eye contact).  That is right, with magic. 
 
(Gertrude pulls a small pocked watch from thin.  Courtney catches glimpse of the flower hands and stars and moons. It is not like any other watch she has seen before. Gertrude closes it real quick and then stands)

Gertrude:  Courtney it has been so nice to speak to you!  I hope we can meet for tea again real soon.  I must get going.  Prince Caleb beckons and you know how antsy the prince can be!

(Gertrude pulls Courtney in close and they share a hug.   She smells like honey and brown sugar with a hint of vanilla.)
Gertrude:  Good to see you again, dear. 
Courtney:  I agree! Have fun and tell the prince and his cute self that I said Hi!


Cannot wait to read all of your fantastic characters!

Bucaneer Blogfest #4: After the Woods

I cannot believe we have started week 2.  It seems like yesterday when I was rushing you all aboard the ship and placing bottles of rum in your hands.  :) If you are just joining us...welcome! If you want to join us, it is not too late to sign up! Just go to the bottom and add your blog to the linky! ARGGG!!

After the Woods is my debut novel that will be released by Curiosity Quills Press sometime this year! YAY! It was my nanowrimo project, and first novel ever written! Subsequently, After the Woods won the Nano-Virtuosos competition held by CQ in November 2011! Since then, my life has completely changed!!!

Synopsis:

Elizabeth has visions induced by an antique music box that her dead grandfather owned decades before her birth.  A witch instructs Elizabeth to enter the woods and face her fears.  The events that take place After the Woods forever changes Elizabeth's outlook on the world.  She travels to unfamiliar places, meets strange characters, and even learns a little magic. While searching for the answers to her questions and subduing unwarranted visions, she begins to understand the inevitable changes that will soon take place in her life.  Elizabeth must ultimately choose between good, evil, and life or death, although her future may already be paved.

First Paragraph:

Elizabeth felt eyes watching her every move in her lonesome apartment. She was certain no one was around but a strange sensation lingered while the distant sound of Serenade Lyrique echoed from the bedroom. Adrenaline bolted through her veins and an uneasy energy engulfed the room. Goosebumps hiked up her arms while her heart raced at a galloping pace. The thought of wandering eyes made her want to hide. She scanned the apartment to make sure nothing was out of the ordinary. All was the same or was it?

With closed eyes, she lost herself in the classical music. The twinkling piano and flowing violin catapulted Elizabeth’s imagination to another century. Handsome men danced with beautiful women in a large white marbled room.  The women wore silk gowns with intricate embroidered patterns and large colorful petticoats.  The people laughed and a roaring applause filled the room as the song ended.  Big smiles filled each of their faces.  The guests seemed happy, almost too happy. Although her body stayed tense, Elizabeth's mind was at ease.  She tried to drown herself in the exultant moment and calm her paranoia.  There had been very few good days since the funeral.

Sooooo.....What do you think?  I vow this week to catch up on each of your posts! Really looking forward to reading your works in progress! :) I originally posted a version of the first paragraph that was old...just updated this! I reread and was like..wait, that is not the most current one!

Want to read some more awesomeness?  Check out your fellow deck mate's posts!

Buccaneer Blogfest #3: Interview with Sylvia

Hi All, 


Sorry for not posting yesterday. The day took an odd turn of events and I did not get home until 2am but I did not forget! I had the pleasure of conducting an interview with my new friend Sylvia Bruggen who hosts the blog Playful Creative! If you haven't had a chance to visit her blog yet, you should head on over there and learn more about her! 


1.  If you could meet one person, real or fiction, who would it be?
So many! I think I will go with Lucien, the librarian from Neil Gaiman's Sandman. I love that library of his :)



2.  What are you top 3 favorite books ever?
Gosh, that is going to be hard to choose. I will just write down the first names that come to mind :)

- John Grisham - The Pelican Brief. Read this book in one go, until deep in the night :) Such a page turner!
- Neil Gaiman / Terry Pratchett - Good Omens. Both my favorite authors, picked this book because I get to pick another book now :D Good Omens is a fabulous book though, and the characters are so fantastic :)
- Robin Hobb - Assassin's Apprentice. Such a fantastic first novel of a great series. Fitz is one of the best characters I have ever read.



3. Does a story ever impact you so greatly that you cry?
Yes, both a story written by others (the last Harry Potter book for instance) and a story I wrote myself, so felt the pain of the characters in both



4. What is your favorite genre?
Fantasy, many forms of it :)



5. What motivates you to write?
Telling a story. I love to sit and craft a story that I want to read. That may sound strange, but I believe strongly that you have to write something you want to read.



6.  If a genie granted you 3 wishes, what would they be?
*grins* that is a great question! 
The first would be a new laptop, my current one is falling apart at the seams and it really wants to be replaced :) 
The second would be a little cocker spaniel to love, the third would be being invited to drive along in the Tour de France. (am watching that right now, and it snuck into this wish list :D )



7.  I see you are a poet.  Do you mind sharing a short poem with us?
This is happiness
Walking on the beach
my head in
the wind
toes merge with
the sand
I feel like
I float away
on gentle
breeze
careless sea
whispers around
my feet




8.  You also love color.  What color would you use to describe yourself?
Purple! No particular reason I am purple, but I really love the colour :)



9.  How do you help people work through mental blocks? Any encouraging words you would like to share with us?
Your fear doesn't define you, your dreams do, your passions. The funny thing is, when you are doing what you are passionate about, fear comes knocking really hard. When you follow your passion every day, you get better and better at kicking fear to the curb. And then grin at yourself in the mirror and hold your thumbs up at yourself for another day of conquering your fears.



10.  Who inspires you?
Anyone who follows their dreams and takes leaps of faith.



11.  What are your writerly goals?
At the moment it is publish your work. There is so much waiting to be shared with the world :)




12.  Tell us where we can befriend you (blog, goodreads, twitter, etc.)
My blog is at: http://sylviavanbruggen.blogspot.com
I tweet at: http://twitter.com/sylviavbruggen
I update goodreads badly at: http://www.goodreads.com/sylviavanbruggen
and procrastinate on facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/sylviavanbruggen




Sylvia, 
Thank you so much for being a good sport and answering each one of my questions!  I feel like I know you much better.  Your poem is beautiful and I hope you get a new laptop! :) The encouraging words are awesome.  The next time I get stuck with writing, I am going to come back to this post and read your words.  Thanks again! 

Friday the 13th Giveaway: One Ghost Per Serving

This is NO one ghost one cup entry but a celebration of the release of One Ghost Per Serving! Most people view Friday the 13th (oooooooooooooh scary ghost noises) as an unlucky day.  Well, I have a giveaway that can help make tomorrow your LUCKY day!

Rack up those entries to be declared one of the LUCKY 13 who will win of a copy of  One Ghost Per Serving by Nina Post.

Synopsis:

Possessed by Rex, a mischievous spirit, Eric Snackerge’s life has careened out of control. Losing his scholarship and getting blacklisted from the legal profession are just the start – now his best-friend-turned-enemy is in danger of stealing away his family, too.

An unusual contest may be his last chance to make his daughter’s dreams come true. But he’ll have to overcome his own self-doubt — not to mention the seemingly impossible odds — in order to achieve that goal.

As Eric and his ghostly companion soon learn, this isn’t your run-of-the-mill sweepstakes. When the sponsors begin dispatching spy cameras, attack helicopters, and the kitchen sink – all to make sure that Eric doesn’t get any further – it becomes clear that the contest is only the first phase of a much larger, sinister plan to spread a supernatural pathogen throughout the food supply.

Do Eric and Rex have what it takes to foil the villains’ plan and protect the Snackerge family from becoming the next victims?

For more quirky urban fantasy by Nina Post, check out The Last Condo Board of the Apocalypse - temporarily discounted to only $0.99!







a Rafflecopter giveaway

Buccaneer Blogfest #2: About the Bloggizzle

Incase you are wondering....This is the prompt for July 11th:

Tell us about your blog. 

• How and when you started blogging
• What do you hope to accomplish with your blog? Have these goals changed since you started?
• Did anything surprise you about blogging?
• If you're new to blogging, do you have any fears/concerns?
• Any questions you might have about blogging that you want your crew mates to answer
• Do you blog anywhere else? Include links so we can follow.

* * * * *

Ahoy! It is OFFICIALLY July 11th.  This is Captn' Courtney here congratulating you for staying on board and not jumping ship! There are no life jackets on this vessel! The sails are wide open and the Curiosity Quills ship has left port. Pull out your parrots and hold on to yar skivvies cuz day 2 is finally here. If yar seasick throw yar chunks orr' the side. (I should really learn how to properly speak like a pirate. PIRATE TALK FAIL! I even have a pirate character in After the Woods ::face palm:) 

...and yes...I am still lusting over Orlando Bloom as Will Turner...HOTTIE!! 

Tell us about your blog:

I was blogging before blogging was even called blogging!!  I use to write every day from 1997 - 2000 at a place called opendiary.com. My little brother found all my personal writings and secrets and read them every single day.  Sneaky sneaky little brother was he. ARGG! I started this blog sometime last year but did not start using it fully until 2012. All the cool writers were doing it so I thought, why not?  

I don't always talk about writing but it is an underlying subject in my posts.  I started a book cover series and that takes place each Monday and has for the past 13 weeks (but that will be put on hold until after we sail the black seas of the internet).  The biggest goal I have is for people to know who I am.  Too many people on the internet have secret identities that are different than who they are in real life and that is what I want to avoid. I want people to know me, the real me.

Yes, I am a writer and aspiring author but I am not perfect in any way.  I have insecurities and struggles and sometimes I feel like I am at the bottom of the totem pole. The thought that maybe I am not good enough or there are people who are way better than me occasionally crosses my mind. Those kinds of thoughts can get the best of us.

Don't get me wrong, there are other times I feel like I am the King of the World and have fist pump moments and think I am super awesome. This blog is a place for me to voice all of those thoughts (the good and bad) and share them with other people who may be feeling the same way.  I would like to think I create a sense of hope for those who don't think they will ever be professionally published.  Being published is not easy (too many people make it seem like it is) but it is not impossible! That is the beauty of the publishing world. (I was lucky and won the writers lottery . . . and am very thankful for Curiosity Quills!) 

Also, I think it will be nice to go back and read my previous posts to see how much I have grown as both a writer and a person.  The biggest surprise I have found is,  I really enjoy blogging and I enjoy meeting others who blog about the same things.  People interest me and learning more about them (you) is fun. This is my only blog and little corner of the interwebz! Welcome! 

* * * * *

Do you have any blogging questions?  Can't wait to read all of your posts!  I have officially visited everyone's first post! If I did not leave a comment that does not mean I did not read it but I am pretty sure I read every single one of them and commented.  :) Share the love...visit your fellow shipmates posts and captain Sharon Bayliss! 

It is not too late to sign up for the blog fest! 

Buccaneer Blogfest #1: About me!

I am literally jumping for joy about the start of this blogfest and have been watching pirate videos to set the ambience for this post. I cannot wait to visit all of your blogs, read your posts, and learn a little more about you. Also, thanks for signing up, without you this event could have never happened.

Hold on to your pants.....
   Writing introductions are always feel silly but here I go!

My name is Courtney Worth Young. I am a somewhat newly wed (2010), hence the two last names.  Some people know me as Courtney Worth others know me as Courtney Young so the big joke is to call me by both. Plus it sounds so official! I have many nicknames, Court, Court-Court, and C-Note.  You can call me whatever you'd like as long as it is nice...hehe.

I live in South East Texas and have all of my life. COME VISIT! My debut novel, After the Woods, will be published by Curiosity Quills sometime this year (SQUEE!!). I am fairly new to writing and to the literary world in general.  I started writing seriously in March of 2011 during a camping trip at Hodges Gardens in Louisiana. The husband and I walked to the end of the Chestnut Trail and I took in my surroundings.  Being in the woods feels like home.  Inspiration hit me like a ton of bricks and when I came home I decided that I would be a writer.  In retrospect, it seems like it was my destiny.
(I use to write religiously as a teen...but didn't we all?)

Lucky, I am one of those people who really commits to things...and well here I am! I do have a lot to learn when it comes to writing.  Fortunately, I have met friends that are helpful, talented, and so willing to help me grow as a writer.  I am very thankful to have such people in my life and wouldn't trade them for anything.

Random things about me
I love the theater.  Performing and directing are two of my favorite things to do.
I am addicted to hiking, biking, and camping.
I drive a jeep and love taking the top off!
I don't care to cook but am learning to accept doing it.
I love coffee, naps, Harry Potter, and staying up late.

I am a social media nerd...so lets be friends:
twitter.com/courtney825
facebook.com/courtneyworthyoung
goodreads.com/courtney825
http://pinterest.com/cutiecourt83/


If you have any questions about blogging or anything else just ask! Also, you should visit the blog of Sharon Bayliss if you haven't.  She is my partner in crime (and is also very friendly and helpful) while we sail the blogging seas...ARG!!


Its not too late for you to join our blog fest!

Buccaneer Blogfest Start Tomorrow!! SQUEE!!

I am happy to announce that the Buccaneer Blogfest starts tomorrow! OMG OMG OMG!! I am so excited about this, maybe overly excited.  I wanted to let you all know that if you haven't signed up yet, it is not too late.  Seriously! We will be blogging for the next 4 weeks, making friends, and learning more about one another.

I declare you hop upon our pirate ship and sail the seas of the interwebz!  Sharon Bayliss and I will be your faithful captains and we will be sailing on the Curiosity Quills ship that is stocked with various rum and weapons.  We have 30+ mateys already on board and our crew is steadily growing.  ARGGGGG!!

Take that as a challenge, Sir!
I'll bring the rum...if you do the writing! 

If you would like to learn more information about the blogfest, visit this post!

If you would like to sign up..use the linky below!

Blogging for the heck of it!

I just wanted to catch you all up with my life literary and non-literary!

As most of you know, I am in the process of editing After the Woods.  I have had the honor of beta reading for a *new* friend that I admire very dearly and she has agreed to critique my work!! YAY!!! I am so excited.  Like jumping for joy doing the running man excited! So my goal is to really stick it to editing.  I have really taken my wonderful amazing editors advice and added/deleted some parts here and there...but I want it to be great!  And as we all know, greatness takes work.

I often wish I could read the first draft of Harry Potter.  The very first one that was ever written..the one that JK sent to the publishers with her query.  (If a genie ever granted me 3 wishes, that would be one of them.)  It would be fun to see what it was like and how much it changed between the first and printing.

A first draft is equivalent to bones in our bodies, the bare minimum, its the structure of the story.  The second draft is like adding muscles.  The third - fifth draft is like organs.  I imagine the final draft, the one that is printed, is like a full body wearing designer clothes and a cute haircut! Right now, I feel like I have bones.  Good strong ones and maybe a few muscles.  I know that whenever it is ready for print it will be something that leaves the reader wanting more.  The appetizer before the entree', the sip of water when you're thirsty.  (I am an analogy whore today).

Anyway.  I am devoting this entire weekend to editing.  Yay!


Non-Literary Update:

Cody Underwood, Me, and Will (husband)

I purchased my trek marlin last week and all I can say is I LOVE MY BIKE!!! We have been biking like crazy since (and before) I made the purchase! We went and rode some (12.5 miles) trails on July 4th.  Last night, I was pooped.  I showered and went to sleep immediately and that is so out of character for me.  I am a night owl through and through but I could not keep my eyes open.  It felt good just to wear myself completely out and push my body and mind to the limits.  I am really enjoying riding.  I have thought of so many writing ideas while on the trails.  My mind is free and clear to think.  For the first time in months, I feel like I am doing what I want to do (writing/reading/biking/camping).  I have realized that I have been spending lots of my time doing things for other people and I don't want to anymore.   I work because I have to but the things I do in my spare time are going to be because I want to.  I really need to learn how to tell people in my personal life no but I have been struggling with that since I was a teenager.  I use to be so bad at telling people no.  I would give my lunch money to people because they asked me for it.  Sad, I know.  Anyway.  Goal is to do things that make me happy and move my life forward.

So what is up with you guys?

Stein & Candle Murder Mystery: Blogfest

You know honey, if you weren't a dirty, rotten killer I might feel sorry for you. A pretty girl like you doesn't belong in a place the likes of the Frolic Pad. And I've heard you had a way for falling for the wrong guys. If there was any guy more "wrong" in the world, it would have been Lenny Glow. The two of you were having an affair weren't you?  


Eva stared at Stein with a lustful look in her eye.  She rubbed an ice cube across her plump lips.  After having his attention, she finished her small glass of water on the rocks.


An affair?  I don't have affairs Mr. Stein.  Show a lady, like myself, a little respect.  The truth is Mr. Glow and I were in love. Not that cheap lust stuff that most of these cats are experiencing these days.  
I knew we were meant to be together since I first caught sight of his baby blues.  We were were going to run away and live the fairy tale dream and we would have but... Eva was lost in thought.  

But it didn't end well, did it? Lenny isn't keen on loving one woman for too long and shortly before his murder, he threw you to the curb, didn't he? We know you told him to "get bent." What were you arguing about on the night before the murder?


Lenny. Loved. Me. 


 Eva pulled a handkerchief and patted the wetness from her eyes.  She quietly sobbed.

Mr. Glow would have never threw me to the curve.  I told him to get bent because he did not want to runaway at that moment.  He said he had to tell his wife he was leaving her and take care of some unfinished business.  I argued with him.  None of that mattered.  I wanted to leave right then.  Lenny wasn't the most popular man in town.  They were jealous, Mr. Stein.  Jealous I tell you.  

You may claim to be innocent, but in my experience, the innocent don't run. If you don't want to end up hanging, you better start talking. Where have you been since Lenny's death and why did you scamper?

I don't take kindly to threats.  If I am a suspect, then you know that I am innocent until proven guilty.  The truth is, I did runaway.  I had to get away.   If you must know.......


I am carry baby glow.  

Shock covered Stein's face.


Please close your mouth. That is not a flattering look for a man of your stature. Many think I killed him....and I may have done it if I wasn't carrying his baby. He took me on an emotional roller coaster and told me his deep dark secrets. I couldn't live with the pressure of knowing Lenny in that way.  I wanted to runaway with him and forget our past and start a new future together.  I would have had that fairytale life.  Poor Lenny.  


She cried even more than before and spoke between sobs.  


There are only a few people who know I am carrying his baby and those people are not happy.  I have an idea of who did it but I can't talk about it here. You'll find the answers you are looking for back at The Frolic Pad.  

She whispered, "old gary." 

She stared into Stein's eyes for a moment then tucked her clutch purse under arm.  She searched the room and locked eyes with the bartender at the little hole in the wall bar.  Being on the outskirts of town did not gaurantee her safety.  She wrapped a black scarf tightly around her head and slipped the dark glasses over her eyes.  She stood to leave and leaned over the table to talk to Stein.  Only inches from his face, she said,  Don't look for me again.  You'll be on a watch list also if you keep digging around in things that aren't any of your business.  That's a promise, Stein.  Good day. 


Eva left the dirty bar and hopped into a dark car that waited for her on the curb.  She did not look back before she zoomed towards the horizon.  They didn't call her songbird for nothing.

Monday Madness: Book Covers XII

Welcome to week 12 of a little book cover series I call Monday Madness.
This week I would like to share with you the covers of a few books that I adore.  Some are my all time favorites while others are recent goodies that I have discovered. I tried to only choose one cover although I love the entire series of the ones that have several books.

         

            

           

Have you read any of these books?  Share with me some of your favorites (old & new)!